Film cartridge

ABSTRACT

An improved cartridge for a plurality of photographic film units of the self-processing type wherein the film units each include an image-recording unit releasably coupled at the leading end to a leading member which comprises elements that can be separated from the finished photographic print and constitute waste that must be disposed of. The cartridge comprises a substantially rectangular container having an exposure aperture in one surface. The cartridge is provided with a trailing and a leading end, the leading end being provided with a film unit dispensing slot for the removal of an exposed image-recording unit from the cartridge. The lower portion of the leading end of the cartridge extends beyond the portion containing the dispensing slot and is arranged to accept and retain the leading member as it is separated from the image-recording unit. The improvement comprises wall elements in the cartridge extension which provides improved storage and retention of the separated members in the extension.

United States Patent n 1 Michatek [451 Dec. 25, 1973 FILM CARTRIDGE [75] Inventor: Chester W. Michatek, Rochester,

[73] Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company,

Rochester, NY.

[22] Filed: July 5, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 268,939

[52] US. Cl. 95/19, 95/13 [51] Int. Cl. G031) 19/10 [58] Field of Search 95/13, 14, 19, 22,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,673,939 7/1972 Harvey 95/13 Primary Examiner-Richard M. Sheer Azt0meyWilliam T. French et al.

[57 ABSTRACT An improved cartridge for a plurality of photographic film units of the self-processing type wherein the film units each include an image-recording unit releasably coupled at the leading end to a leading member which comprises elements that can be separated from the finished photographic print and constitute waste that must be disposed of. The cartridge comprises a substantially rectangular container having an exposure aperture in one surface. The cartridge is provided with a trailing and a leading end, the leading end being provided with a film unit dispensing slot for the removal of an exposed image-recording unit from the cartridge. The lower portion of the leading end of the cartridge extends beyond the portion containing the dispensing slot and is arranged to accept and retain the leading member as it is separated from the imagerecording unit. The improvement comprises wall elements in the cartridge extension which provides improved storage and retention of the separated members in the extension.

9 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTEU B532 5 I975 sum 1 or 2 FILM CARTRIDGE CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS Reference is made to commonly assigned copending US. Pat. applications, all filed concurrently herewith, Ser. No. 268,932 entitled PHOTOGRAPHIC FILM UNIT; Ser. No. 268,940 entitled FILM HANDLING IMPROVEMENT; Ser. No. 268,931 entitled FILM FEEDING AND GATING; Ser. No. 268,933 entitled CARTRIDGE FOR FILM UNITS; Ser. No. 268,936 entitled TRANSLATABLE STRIPPING AND GUID- ING MECHANISM; and Ser. No. 268,935 entitled FILM PACK WITH RESILIENT WASTE HANDLING MEANS; all filed in the name of Donald M. Harvey; Ser. No. 268,947 entitled FILM CARTRIDGE filed in the name of Frederick F. Tone; and Ser. No. 268,975 entitled FILM PACK filed in my name.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION self-processing photographic film units in assemblages and cartridges, often referred to as film packs. It also is known to provide such packs with means for transporting the film units from the packs in a proper sequential order. Such self-processing film units generally include a photosensitive element comprising a support having thereon at least one layer of photosensitive material, and asecond element adapted to be registered with the photosensitive element for processing. A viscous processing composition is supplied to the unit at one end and is spread toward the other end by passing the unit between juxtaposed pressure-applying members that distribute the composition in a layer of predetermined thickness between the two elements. The distributed composition then permeates the layers of the unit to effect development of the photosensitive layers and the construction of an image in a mordant layer, either in the photosensitive or second element, to provide a substantially permanent and visible photograph.

The present invention is directed particularly for use with film units generally referred to as being preregistered or integral in which the photosensitive and process elements are permanently superposed or registered prior to exposure and are maintained in superposed or registered relationship during and after processing. Such a unit includes photosensitive and second elements that are superposed prior to exposure and define a composite, permanently registered structure designed to remain substantially in the same physical form after processing. In presently known film units of this type, the second element is transparent, to permit exposure of the photosensitive materials from the top side of the unit, and the image or print-receiving layer is located either in the process element, or, preferably, in the photosensitive element, to provide a positive image that need not be strippedfrom the rest of the unit. Film units of this type are disclosed, for example, in commonly assigned Belgian Pat. No. 757,960.

The present invention has particular utility with preregistered and integral film units of the type disclosed in U.S. application Ser. No. 268,932 entitled PHOTO- GRAPHIC FILM UNIT, filed on even date herewith, wherein the image-recording portion of the unit is coupled at the leading end to a leading member which comprises elements that can be separated from the finished photographic print and constitute waste that can be disposed of.

Heretofore, cartridges for film units of the selfprocessing type have not been arranged to accept any of the waste materials generated during the processing of the film unit, or if they could, were substantially larger than would otherwise be necessary. If the cartridges do not accept the waste, it is necessary for the user to dispose of the waste elsewhere or, as is too often the case, the waste becomes litter. If the cartridges are arranged to accept the waste, they are generally substantially thicker than would otherwise be necessary, so that the waste portion may be stored in the rear of the cartridge behind the unused film units. This necessitates the construction of larger cameras to accept the larger cartridges and is otherwise less than satisfactory In UTS. Application Serial No. 268,947 entitled FILM PACK WITH RESILIENT WASTE HANDLING MEANS, a cartridge arrangement is disclosed that can accept and store any waste material from the processed film unit without requiring a significant increase in cartridge size. This arrangement provides several advantages to the user, since the cartridge and the camera can be smaller, and to the public generally, since there will be less litter generated. However, it has been found that, when the waste portions of the film units are diverted to the storage area of the cartridge, they extend from the cartridge in a somewhat inconvenient manner, and ai retained only by frictional forces that may not be sufficiently strong to withstand possible abuse after the cartridge is removed from a cooperating camera.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the present invention provides a cartridge construction that can accept and store waste, material while assuring the retention of the waste material and, at the same providing a smaller, more compact cartridge.

Thus, the present invention provides a cartridge adapted to contain a plurality of film units including an image-recording portion and elements that canbe separated from the image-recording portion and constitute waste that must be disposed of. The cartridge comprises first and second opposed side walls, a pair of edge walls, a pair of end walls, with the walls forming a generally rectangular container. A film unit exit slot is disposed in the first end wall and means is provided therein adjacent the second side wall to acceptthe elements separated from the image-recording portion of the film unit. Means is provided on the second side.

wall, remote from the first end wall, which forms a surface inclined towards the first side wall that is arranged to direct a portion of the separated element toward the first side wall thereby any residual curl in the separated material is accommodated and retention of the separated element in the cartridge is assured.

More particularly, the present invention provides a cartridge adapted to contain a plurality of unexposed self-processing film units wherein each of the film units includes an image-recording portion releasably coupled at the leading end to a leading member which comprises elements that can be separated from the processed exposed image-recording portionand constitute waste that must be disposed of. The leading member has'a predetermined length and width, with a portion at the trailing end thereof, adjacent the leading end of the image-recording portion, of reduced width. The cartridge is arranged for use in a camera having a pair of pressure applying members disposed adjacent to and transverse one end of the cartridge. The camera has at least one guide'member adjacent the pressure applying members opposite from the end of the cartridge. The cartridge comprises first and second opposed side walls, a pair of edge walls, and a pair of end walls forming a generally rectangular container portion. The first side wall has an exposure aperture therethrough and an elongated transverse film unit exit slot is disposed in a first portion of the first end wall in alignment with the nip between the pressure applying members when the cartridge is disposed within a camera. The first portion of the first end wall extends from the exit slot towards the second side wall a distance less than the distance between the exit slot'and the second side wall. Means isprovided to form a cartridge extension extending longitudinally outward from the first end of the generally rectangular container between the end of the first portion of the first end wall and the second side wall. The cartridge extension is arranged to extend to one side of and beyond one of the pressure applying members and has an -'open surface opposite the second side wall facing the pressure applying member. The cartridge extension is arranged to accept the separated elements from theimage-recording portion of the film unit; The second side wall has a first portion substantially coextensive with the first side wall and a second portion extending longitudinally outward from the first portion of the first end wall to form one surface of the cartridge extension. A second portion of the first end wall is disposed longitudinally of the cartridge outwardly from the first portion and extends from the end of the second portion of the second side wall towards the plane of the first side wall a distance less than the distance between the secondside wall and the exit slot to form the end of the extension which has a length less than the length of the leading member of the film unit. A guide means is arranged in the cartridge extension to cooperate with the guide member in the camera to guide the separated elements into the extension. The second portion of the first end wall is arranged to extend from the edge walls of the cartridge toward the center thereof and forms an opening therebetween substantially equal in width to the reduced width portion of the leading member. A plurality of fin members are provided which extend from the inner surface of the second side wall toward the first side wall and form a leading member-divertingsurface inclined toward the first side wall from the second side wall. A stop means is disposed at the end of at least one fin member remote from the second portion of the first end wall at a distance substantially equal to the length of the portion of the leading member of predetermined width.

The various features of novelty which characterize the present invention are pointed out with particularlity v in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects obtained by its use, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which a preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated and described.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING In the detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention presented below, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of a cartridge according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a single film unit which the cartridge illustrated in FIG. 1 is adapted to contain;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal section through the cartridge taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view of one end of a cartridge disposed in a camera.

Referring now to the drawings, a preferred embodi' ment of a cartridge 10 according to the present invention is illustrated in FIG. l.'The cartridge is adapted to contain a plurality of unexposed preregistered integral self-processing film units 12, shown in plan in FIG. 2, wherein each of the film units include an imagerecording portion 14 releasably coupled at the leading end 16 to a leading member 18 which comprises elements, such as processing fluid container 20, that can be separated from the processed exposed imagerecording portion and constitute waste that must be disposed of. The leading member 18 has a predetermined length a and width b and a portion 19 at the trailing end thereof of reduced width c. For a more complete description of a film unit, reference is made to above noted US. Pat. application Ser. No. 268,932 entitled PI-IOTOGRAPI-IIC FILM UNIT. The cartridge is formed as a generally rectangular container and comprises first and second generally rectangular opposed side walls 22 and 24, a pair of edge walls 26 and 28, and a pair of end walls, 30 and 32. The first side wall has an exposure aperture 34 therethrough for exposing a film unit when the cartridge is in a camera. An elongated transverse film unit exit slot 36 is disposed in an upper first portion 30A of the first end wall. (The relative directions used herein are only for reference purposes and are directed to the cartridge as illustrated in FIG. 3). The exit slot is adjacent and parallel to the first side wall 22 containing the exposure aperture 34.

The first, upper, portion 30A of the first end wall extends from the exit slot towards the second side wall 24 a distance less than the distance between the exit slot and the second side wall. The second side wall 24 has a first portion 24A substantially coextensive with the first side wall 22 and a second portion 248 extending longitudinally outward from the first portion 30A of the first end wall. A second portion 308 of the first end wall is disposed longitudinally of the cartridge outwardly from the first portion 30A and extends from the end of the second portion 24B of the second side wall towards the plane of the first side wall 22 a distance less than the distance between the second side wall and the exit slot 36. The edge walls 26 and 28 also extend outwardly from the first portion of the end wall 30A to the second portion 303 between the lower end of the first portion and the second side wall. As seen in FIG. 1, the second portion 308 of the first end wall extends from the edge walls 26 and 28 toward the center of the cartridge and form an opening therebetween substantially equal in width to the width c of the reduced width portion 19 of the leading member. Thus, the extended portions of the side walls, the second portion of the second side wall 243 and the second portion of the end wall 30B form a cartridge extension outwardly adjacent the end of the generally rectangular container portion. The cartridge extension has an open upper surface, opposite from the second portion of the second side wall 243. In the preferred embodiment, the cartridge extension has a length less than the length of the leading member 18 of the film unit and is arranged to accept the leading member after it is removed from the processed exposed image-recording portion 14 of the film unit 12, and the first portion 30A of the first end wall extends toward the second side wall beyond the open surface of the cartridge extension (See FIG. 3).

Thus, the cartridge comprises a generally rectangular container portion with a film dispensing exit slot disposed in the leading end thereof (determined with respect to the direction of movement of the film unit after exposure). The lower portion of the leading end of the cartridge extends outwardly from the leading end of the container portion to accept and retain the leading member after it is removed from the image-recording portion of the film unit.- The present cartridge is arranged for use in a camera having a pair of pressure applying members disposed adjacent to and transverse the first end 30 of the cartridge. A portion of such a camera is illustrated in FIG. 4 and includes a pair of parallel rollers 40 and 42 whose axes are substantially parallel to the first end of the cartridge. A cartridge stop 44 may be provided which accurately positions the end of the cartridge on the camera with respect to the rollers. As shown, the nip between the rollers is substantially opposite the exit slot 36. The camera is also provided with guides 46 at each end of the rollers which guides divert the leading member 18 of the processed film unit into the cartridge extension which extends to one side of and beyond the lower pressure roller 42, whereby the separated leading members are retained and stored as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. As disclosed in the above-identified copending applications, the exposed, processed image-recording portions of the film units are arranged to pass between the guides 46 and to exit from the camera after the leading members are separated therefrom. The camera may also include a feed member 48 that introduces the film units into the nip of the pressure rollers.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the guides 46 in the camera are arranged to terminate adjacent the lower surface of the lower pressure roller 42, superadjacent the end of the cartridge extension and a pair of guide members or tracks 54 are disposed on the inner surface of the portions of edge walls 26 and 28 which form a part of the cartridge extension. The guide members 54 have a curved surface extending substantially perpendicular to the inner surface of the edge walls and, when the cartridge is disposed in the cooperating camera, form an extension of the guides 46 therein. The guide members 54 are curved from the inner surface of the second side wall 248 toward the plane of the second portion 30B of the first end wall and are arranged to engage the lateral edges of the separated elements of the film units as the separated elements are discharged from the guides 46 in the camera. The guide members direct the separated elements into the storage area in the cartridge extension and change the direction of movement of the separated elements so they are moving generally parallel to the surface of the second side wall 243 so that they will not stub" the wall and jam.

The improvement of the present invention comprises means on the inner surface of the second side wall 24,

remote from the second portion of the first end wall 308 which forms a surface across the width of the cartridge which is inclined toward the first side wall 22. The surface s0 is preferably formed by a plurality of laterally spaced fin members 62 which can be easily molded without causing any thick wall portions that complicate the injection molding of the part. A stop means or member 64 is provided at the edge walls of the cartridge at the highest point of surface 60, and remote from the second portion of the first end wall 308, which operates to prevent the movement of the leading member 18 too far into the cartridge. The stop means is preferably spaced from the second portion of the first end wall 308 a distance substantially equal to the length of the portion of the leading member 18 of predetermined width b.

Also in accordance with the improvement of the present invention, the end wall 308 defines a pair of abutment surfaces or retainers that are transversely spaced by an amount approximatelyequal to or slightly greater than the reduced transverse width of film unit portion 19. At the same time, however, the surfaces or retainers are closer than the width b of leading member 18, so they will retain the leading members in the storage chamber in a positive and secure manner. Preferably, the vertical height of the abutment surfaces in the forward direction extends their top surfaces above the bottom surface of wall portion 30A. By reference to the chain lines in FIG. 3, illustrating the outline of the waste materials after all of the film units have been processed, it will be apparent that this vcrticle overlap between wall portions 30A and 308 has significant advantages for insuring the proper retention of the waste materials in the storage chamber. In fact, the entire cartridge can be held only by the trailing ends or portions 19 of the leader members with little danger the leader members will be released from their latched position behind and between the abutment surfaces or retainers.

In operation, as the leading member 18 of the film unit passes between the pressure rollers and is directed into the cartridge extension, the leading end thereof is diverted upwardly by the inclined surface 60. The relative location of the stop means 64, the second portion of the end wall 3MB and the length of the portion of leading member 18 of width b, are such that, as the leading end approaches the stop means 64, the trailing end leaves the nip of the pressure rollers 40 and 42 and, because of the resilient nature of the material forming the leading member, snaps downward between guides 46 and 54 with the trailing portion 19 extending through the opening in end wall MB. Inasmuch as the leading portion of the leading member 18 within the cartridge extension has a width b greater than the width of the opening in end wall 303, the leading member is positively retained in the cartridge even though a portion extends out of the extension. This permits the use of a shorter cartridge than would otherwise be possible. At the same time, and also because of the resilient nature of the material forming the leading member 118, the fin members 62 forming the inclined surface 60 produce a curve in the leading member which the resilient material attempts to straighten, thus forcing the trailing end thereof to the bottom of the opening in wall 30B. When all of the film units in the cartridge have been processed, the leading members therefrom will substantially till the cartridge extension, as shown in phantom in FIG. 3. As shown, the leading members will be curvedaround the lower edge of the first portion 30A of the end wall, producing a stress in the leading members which assures the retention of all the waste material in the cartridge upon removal from the camera.

' Accordingly, it will be seen that the present invention provides a cartridge that assures retention of the separated members of a film unit in the cartridge extention while providing a smaller cartridge.

It also should now be apparent that the present inven tion substantially reduces or even eliminates the need for at least several exacting film unit requirements, and this is accomplished in a manner that is significantly improved over other and previously conceived approaches disclosed, for example, in previously cited U.S. application Ser. No. 268,935 entitled FILM PACK W ITH RESILlENT WASTE HANDLING MEANS. By way of example only, the waste materials can be collected satisfactorily, and still will extend generally straightbetween the abutment or latching surfaces of wall portion 303, even though they retain a slight curl for some temporary or even pennanent time after being bent into the movement path of the waste materials. This isimportant when it is remembered that the pods often include a lead foil layer, or the like, that can be difficult to straighten. This object is accomplished in accordance with the present invention by raising'the leading end of the'leader member so that its opposite end will be pushed flateven though it may have retaine'd some curl.

The invention has been described in detail with particular reference to preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention. Y

Iclaimr 1; A'c artridge adapted to contain a plurality of film units including an image-recording portion and separable elements that can be separated from the imagerecording portion and constitute waste that must be disposed of," said cartridge comprising first and second opposed side walls, a pair of opposed edge walls, and first and second opposed end walls, said walls forming a generally rectangular container,said first end wall being'provided with a film unit exit slot, means in said first end wall adjacent said second side wall arranged to accept the separable elements from the imagerecording portion of the film unit, and means on said second side wall remote from said first end wall forming a surface inclined towards said first side wall arranged to direct a portion of said separable element toward said first side wall.

2. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said separable element acceptance means includes a cartridge extension formed by a second portion of said first end wall, portions of the edge walls and a portion of said second side wall.

3. The invention according to claim 2 wherein said portion of said first end wall is provided with an opening through which a portion of the separable element extends after acceptance by the cartridge extension.

4. The invention according to claim 3 wherein a stop means is disposed adjacent said inclined surface means opposite from said portion of said first end wall.

5. A cartridge adapted to contain a plurality of unexposed self-processing film units wherein each of the film units includes an image-recording portion and separable elements that can be separated from the imagerecording portion and constitute waste that must be disposed of, said separable elements having a portion of reduced width at the trailing end thereof, said cartridge comprising first and second opposed side walls, a pair of opposed edge walls, and first and second opposed end walls, said walls forming a generally rectangular container, said first side wall having an exposure aperture therethrough, a first portion of said first end wall being provided with a film unitexit slot, said first portion of said first end wall extending from said exit slot towards said second side wall a distance less than the distance between said exit slot and said second side wall, a cartridge extension formed by a second portion of said first end wall, portions of saidedge walls, and a portion of said second side wall extending longitudinally outward from a first end of the generally rectangular container between the end of the first portion of said first end wall and said second side wall, said cartridge extension having an open surface opposite the second side wall and arranged to accept the separable elements from the image-recording portion of the film unit, said second portion of said first end wall extending from the edge. walls of said cartridge toward the center thereof and forming an opening therebetween substantially equal in width to the reduced width portion of said separable elements of said film units, and means on said second side wall remote from said second portion of said first end wall forming a surface inclined towards said first side wall from said second side wall for directing a portion of said separable element towards said first side wall.

6. A cartridge adapted to contain a plurality of unexposed self-processing film units wherein each of the film units includes an image-recording portion having a leading end and a leading member having a trailing end, said image-recording portion being releasably coupled at the leading end to said leading member, said leading member comprising elements that can be separated from the processed exposed image-recording portion and constitute waste that must be disposed of, said leading member having a predetermined length and width with a portion at the trailing end thereof of reduced width, said cartridge comprising first and second opposed side walls, a pair of opposed edge walls, and first and second opposed end walls forming a generally rectangular container portion, said cartridge arranged for use in a camera of a type having a pair of pressure applying members disposed adjacent to and transverse one end of the cartridge and having at least one guide member adjacent such pressure applying members opposite from said end of said cartridge, said first side wall having an exposure aperture therethrough, said first end wall having a first portion and a second portion, said first portion having an elongated transverse film unit exit slot disposed therein, said exit slot being arranged to be in alignment with a nip between the pressure applying members when the cartridge is operatively disposed within such camera, said first portion of said first end wall extending from said exit slot towards said second side wall a distance less than the distance between said exit slot and said second side wall, means forming a cartridge extension extending longitudinally outward from the end of the generally rectangular container between the end of the first portion of said first end wall and said second side wall, said cartridge extension, when said cartridge is operatively disposed within a camera, arranged to extend to one side of and beyond one of the pressure applying members of such camera and having an open surface opposite the second side wall facing the pressure applying members and arranged to accept the elements separated from the image-recording portion of the film unit, said second side wall having a first portion substantially coextensive with said first side wall and a second portion extending longitudinally outward from the first portion of said first end wall, a second portion of said first end wall disposed longitudinally of the cartridge outwardly from said first portion and extending from the end of the second portion of said second side wall towards the plane of said first side wall a distance less than the distance between said second side wall and said exit slot, said cartridge extension having a length less than the length of the leading member of said film unit, guide means arranged in said cartridge extension to cooperate with the guide member in such camera to guide said elements separated from the imagerecording portion of the film unit into said extension, said second portion of said first end wall extending from the edge walls of said cartridge toward the center thereof and forming an opening therebetween substantially equal in width to the reduced width portion of said leading member, and a plurality of fin members extending from the inner surface of the second side wall toward said first side wall, said fin members forming a leading member-diverting surface inclined toward said first side wall from said second side wall, and stop means disposed at the end of at least one fin member remote from the second portion of said first end wall and spaced from the second portion of said first end wall a distance substantially equal to the length of the portion of said leading member of predetermined width.

7. The invention according to claimfi wherein said stop means is disposed adjacent said cartridge edge walls.

8. The invention according to claim 6 wherein said fin members and said stop means are disposed in said generally rectangular container portion ofsaid cartridge.

9. The invention according to claim 6 wherein said first portion of said first end wall extends towards said second side wall beyond the open surface of said car- 

1. A cartridge adapted to contain a plurality of film units including an image-recording portion and separable elements that can be separated from the image-recording portion and constitute waste that must be disposed of, said cartridge comprising first and second opposed side walls, a pair of opposed edge walls, and first and second opposed end walls, said walls forming a generally rectangular container, said first end wall being provided with a film unit exit slot, means in said first end wall adjacent said second side wall arranged to accept the separable elements from the image-recording portion of the film unit, and means on said second side wall remote from said first end wall forming a surface inclined towards said first side wall arranged to direct a portion of said separable element toward said first side wall.
 2. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said separable element acceptance means includes a cartridge extension formed by a second portion of said first end wall, portions of the edge walls and a portion of said second side wall.
 3. The invention according to claim 2 wherein said portion of said first end wall is provided with an opening through which a portion of the separable element extends after acceptance by the cartridge extension.
 4. The invention according to claim 3 wherein a stop means is disposed adjacent said inclined surface means opposite from said portion of said first end wall.
 5. A cartridge adapted to contain a plurality of unexposed self-processing film units wherein each of the film units includes an image-recording portion and separable elements that can be separated from the image-recording portion and constitute waste that must be disposed of, said separable elements having a portion of reduced width at the trailing end thereof, said cartridge comprising first and second opposed side walls, a pair of opposed edge walls, and first and second opposed end walls, said walls forming a generally rectangular container, said first side wall having an exposure aperture therethrough, a first portion of said first end wall being provided with a film unit exit slot, said first portion of said first end wall extending from said exit slot towards said second side wall a distance less than the distance between said exit slot and said second side wall, a cartridge extension formed by a second portion of said first end wall, portions of said edge walls, and a portion of said second side wall extending longitudinally outward from a first end of the generally rectangular container between the end of the first portion of said first end wall and said second side wall, said cartridge extension having an open surface opposite the second side wall and arranged to accept the separable elements from the image-recording portion of the film unit, said second portion of said first end wall extending from the edge walls of said cartridge toward the center thereof and forming an opening therebetween substantially equal in width to the reduced width portion of said separable elements of said film units, and means on said second side wall remote from said second portion of said first end wall forming a surface inclined towards said first side wall from said second side wall for directing a portion of said separable element towards said first side wall.
 6. A cartridge adapted to contain a plurality of unexposed self-processing film units wherein each of the film units includes an image-recording portion having a leading end and a leading member having a trailing end, said image-recording portion being releasably coupled at the leading end to said leading member, said leading member comprising elements that can be seParated from the processed exposed image-recording portion and constitute waste that must be disposed of, said leading member having a predetermined length and width with a portion at the trailing end thereof of reduced width, said cartridge comprising first and second opposed side walls, a pair of opposed edge walls, and first and second opposed end walls forming a generally rectangular container portion, said cartridge arranged for use in a camera of a type having a pair of pressure applying members disposed adjacent to and transverse one end of the cartridge and having at least one guide member adjacent such pressure applying members opposite from said end of said cartridge, said first side wall having an exposure aperture therethrough, said first end wall having a first portion and a second portion, said first portion having an elongated transverse film unit exit slot disposed therein, said exit slot being arranged to be in alignment with a nip between the pressure applying members when the cartridge is operatively disposed within such camera, said first portion of said first end wall extending from said exit slot towards said second side wall a distance less than the distance between said exit slot and said second side wall, means forming a cartridge extension extending longitudinally outward from the end of the generally rectangular container between the end of the first portion of said first end wall and said second side wall, said cartridge extension, when said cartridge is operatively disposed within a camera, arranged to extend to one side of and beyond one of the pressure applying members of such camera and having an open surface opposite the second side wall facing the pressure applying members and arranged to accept the elements separated from the image-recording portion of the film unit, said second side wall having a first portion substantially coextensive with said first side wall and a second portion extending longitudinally outward from the first portion of said first end wall, a second portion of said first end wall disposed longitudinally of the cartridge outwardly from said first portion and extending from the end of the second portion of said second side wall towards the plane of said first side wall a distance less than the distance between said second side wall and said exit slot, said cartridge extension having a length less than the length of the leading member of said film unit, guide means arranged in said cartridge extension to cooperate with the guide member in such camera to guide said elements separated from the image-recording portion of the film unit into said extension, said second portion of said first end wall extending from the edge walls of said cartridge toward the center thereof and forming an opening therebetween substantially equal in width to the reduced width portion of said leading member, and a plurality of fin members extending from the inner surface of the second side wall toward said first side wall, said fin members forming a leading member-diverting surface inclined toward said first side wall from said second side wall, and stop means disposed at the end of at least one fin member remote from the second portion of said first end wall and spaced from the second portion of said first end wall a distance substantially equal to the length of the portion of said leading member of predetermined width.
 7. The invention according to claim 6 wherein said stop means is disposed adjacent said cartridge edge walls.
 8. The invention according to claim 6 wherein said fin members and said stop means are disposed in said generally rectangular container portion of said cartridge.
 9. The invention according to claim 6 wherein said first portion of said first end wall extends towards said second side wall beyond the open surface of said cartridge extension. 